The colour coding, developed by the firm 3S Simons Security Systems GmbH with headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia, functions on the basis of microscopic particles. These contain unique combinations of four to ten colour layers, and can be applied to products and packaging for later authenticity tests. Each colour code is unique, much like a fingerprint. This allows manufacturers to easily differentiate between originals and counterfeits and helps to protect consumers from oftentimes dangerous imitations.
Because of their special consistency, the colour particles can be applied to or combined with a wide number of materials. For example documents, textiles, electronic devices, and packaging for food and medicine can be marked using this method. Because the microscopic colour particles stand up to heat as well as many chemicals and solvents, they also offer reliable protection for articles subject to heavy wear, including those in the automotive and machine industries.
The particles, invisible to the human eye, can be verified with a standard pen or table microscope. The microscopic colour codes are also permissible in court as evidence, an important factor for the manufacturer.
